The Lincolnshire Bird Club

Dropped my car off after work for some work tomorrow (collection appreciated) and then took a shortcut through Swanholme Lakes just as it got dark tonight. Erie in itself but what I couldn't believe was the noise that came from the roost of Jackdaws. Considering I live about half a mile from the roost I had never heard it before and the noise was deafening. I will have to go again just as they are arriving as it must be a quite a sight

Hi Chris,
I found your comments re the location of the Swanholme Jackdaw roost of particular interest. We live on the N edges of Bracebridge Heath and our house is due E of Swanholme. Most evenings in autumn and winter about half an hour before dusk (and especially on crisp (!) evenings), my wife and I see and hear large mixed flocks of Jackdaws and Rooks passing overhead and flying due W. Sometimes the numbers are well in excess of 1000, flying over and coming from the direction of their feeding grounds - presumably in the Branston / Nocton area, and even further E.
We have often wondered where their exact roost trees were, although we did suspect the Skellingthorpe - Hartsholme - Swanholme area. It would be interesting to know if there are 'Jackdaw' trees and 'Rook' trees or whether the species mingle at roost. As you say, the post arrival settling down period must be particularly noisy. Half a mile sounds like a good buffer zone.

Regards,

Freddy